CONDE NAST TRAVELER MAGAZINE Gold List - January 2000 Rated amongst the top five hotels out of the 500 properties surveyed. Huka Lodge was thw only hotel to score 100% for location and atmosphere.
HUKA LODGE is located in Taupo, in the central North Island of New Zealand. HUKA LODGE is the only "leading small hotels of the world" property in the country.
Magnificent natural beauty. Lake Taupo - crystal clear waters fed by mountain streams. Home to some of the most sought-after Rainbow trout in the world. Huka Falls - spectacular and mighty cascades of water. A short walk from Huka Lodge, on the banks of the Waikato River.
Driving by rental car or limousine generally takes 3 hours from Auckland, 4.5 hours from Wellington and 1 hour from Rotorua. Should you wish us to book this for you, our Virtuoso Huka Lodge Consultants will find a transportation, scheduled flights and travel arrangements to Taupo from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Charter flights available on request. Flying by helicopter from Auckland (landing in the grounds at Huka Lodge), has a flight time of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Explore the park-like gardens and flower borders or soak in our hot pool. Enjoy a game of tennis on our astroturf court. Relax playing a game of petanque. A short walk beyond the gates brings you to the spectacular Huka Falls.
The choices are extensive and very varied, so allow some time to explore all the area has to offer.
Fishing: Taupo is home to some of the finest Rainbow and Brown trout in the world. The challenge of landing one can be met with the assistance and the legendary knowledge provided by Huka Lodge's own fishing guides.
WATER SKIING Lake Taupo provides a true aquatic playground and water skiing punctuated by swimming and picnicking is a wonderful way to spend the day.
TANDEM SKYDIVING In spectacular crisp air with huge view - freefall from 9,000 feet and truly know the sheer exhilaration such adventure brings.
JET BOATING A fast thrilling ride on the mighty Waikato River. An exciting and memorable adventure experience on one of the best of New Zealand's famous rivers.
WHITE & BLACK WATER RAFTING Fabulous day trips on either the Tongariro or Rangitaiki Rivers. Lots of adrenalin, lots of fun and an abundance of white water and rapids.
HUNTING Depending on the season Taupo can offer hunters Red and Sika deer, duck shooting, turkey shooting and wild boar hunting. Again in magnificent, wild and challenging countryside with the best guides the area has to offer. BUNGY JUMPING Again, the Waikato River is the scene for this 150 foot jump. An absolute must for all genuine daredevils and certainly one of life's achievements.
HORSE RIDING A great way to explore some splendid landscape is to take a guided trek on horse back through local bush trails.
SAILING Several great yachts are available for charter on Lake Taupo. Lie back and admire the beautiful scenery, or if you prefer, take a more active role. For a short 2.5 hour sail or as long as you like - the choice is yours.
WILDERNESS ESCAPES Anything is possible, kayaking, abseiling and/or rock climbing. All under the guidance of experienced people selected by Huka Lodge.
WALKS Detailed maps are available for charted walking routes all noted for their natural scenery, signage detail and safety. Designed for various fitness levels and offering a lot of different time options for people who enjoy walks. Guides can also take you on special flora and fauna walks and share their knowledge of all those things so unique to the New Zealand ecosystem.
BIKE HIRE Take a mountain bike and explore some forest trails with your own picnic or join a guided four-wheel motor bike tour for a slightly faster pace.
LIMOUSINE TOURS Your own car and driver to take you on your own tour. In Taupo there are many sights and our staff are only to happy to help you plan an itinerary.
GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITY In Taupo. Craters of the Moon and Wairakei Geothermal Borefield Information Centre and Power Station. Rotorua, an hours drive away is New Zealand's geothermal wonderland and a major international tourist destination. A day trip to Rotorua could include visits to thermal attractions, The Agrodome, Rainbow Springs and the Buried Village, to name but a few.
After a hearty breakfast at the Lodge, set off early for a superb day on the Lake.
Lake Taupo lies in the very heart of the North Island. Fed by numerous rivers and streams, originating from mountain streams, Lake Taupo has the most beautiful crystal clear waters.
The Lake is enclosed to the south by a trio of mountains - Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. The northern boundary is bordered by rolling hills and vast pine forests.
The number of potential recreational activities is vast - the famous fishing, of course, draws many to Lake Taupo's shores. A boat can take you to the many isolated bays and coves fringing the great Lake. You may choose to try a spot of harling in the hope of catching a trophy trout, picnic in your own bay, waterski, swim, cruise by the special Maori rock carvings or take a walk onshore.
Sunset on Lake Taupo is magnificent and best admired from an area known as the Western Bays. A barbecue on the beach can bring a day on the lake to a fitting conclusion - the stars are clearer than you can ever remember, the deep quiet only punctuated by the gentle lapping of the water.
GOLF There are eight golf courses available within a 30 minute drive of Huka Lodge. The nearby Wairakei International Golf Course is a favourite with guests and the venue for the popular 'Huka Lodge Classic' Golf Tournament held in September of every year.
Towards the end of the 1920s a young Irishman called Alan Pye discovered a very special place in Taupo and established Huka Lodge.
Conditions were spartan: the Lodge building contained Pye's bedroom, the kitchen and a large dining room.
In 1984, the present owner Alex van Heeren fell under the same spell. His resources and passion have added luxury to the location and taken Alan Pye's dream through to today's reality.
Guests slept in heavy canvas tents pitched over wooden slatted floors, however its fame and reputation grew and the visitors book read like an angler's version of 'Debrett'.
Well known guests
H.M. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands H.M. Queen Elizabeth II H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh H.R.H. The Prince Edward H.R.H. Katherine The Duchess of Kent Lord Litchfield Prince Guillaume de Luxembourg Princess Sibilla de Luxembourg H.R.H. King Albert of Belgium Prince & Duke Pierre d'Arenberg Princess Silvia d'Arenberg Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill H.R.H. Sultan Mahmud Ismail Terengganu The Rt Hon Dat Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad Dame Kiri te Kanawa Sir Edmund Hillary Mary Robinson General Westmoreland Bill Gates Rupert Murdoch Dick Cheney Tony O'Reilly Billy Conolly Barry Humphries Joan Collins Pink Floyd Michael Douglas Diana Ross Michael Palin Michael Fox Larry Hagman Lee Majors John Johnson Bryce Courtney Kate Winslet Robin Williams Barbara Streisand James Brolin Michael Crawford
Search Our Huka Lodge Resort, New Zealand Vacations
Full Service Huka Lodge Resort, New Zealand Vacation Planner
Click here to start planning a great Huka Lodge Resort, New Zealand vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to.Thank you very much! 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your New Zealand vacation.
Luxury Tours, Adventure Vacations , Honeymoons, Family Vacations
During this time of price volatility in the Huka Lodge Resort, New Zealand vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the New Zealand vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
